ALABAMA AUDUBON
FLICKER FLASHES Summer 2025
It’s been a remarkable few months here at Alabama Audubon. Our fifth annual Black Belt Birding Festival in August set new records in attendance, US states represented, ticket sales, and revenue generated for local businesses. Our trip to Southeastern Arizona introduced Alabama birders to exquisite landscapes and spectacular birds. Our second annual 5K Sandpiper Sprint in Summerdale introduced new audiences to bird conservation. And via an agreement with our friends at the South Alabama Land Trust, we are the new hosts of the John L. Borom Alabama Coastal BirdFest (mark your calendars for April 23-26, 2026!).
Our high-energy community engagement strengthens the expanding network of people, businesses, and organizations in Alabama who share our love of birds and are dedicated to their protection.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes we are also pouring our energy into science and conservation. This past spring we banded record-breaking numbers of migrants at the coast. We awarded $15,000 in grants to young scientists studying Alabama’s biodiversity. We’ve had new wins in shorebird breeding during this year’s nesting season. And through our summer banding program (MAPS) we’re discovering new details about the breeding birds of the Southern Appalachian forests.
None of this is possible without the generous support of our members, donors, foundations, and sponsors. Deep gratitude to all of you who contribute – you are helping to build the future that we and our birds need and deserve. Thank you!
R. Scot Duncan, Executive Director
MEMBER HIGHLIGHT - NATHAN BURRELL
Nathan Burrell is an extraordinary up-and-coming birder whose short film, Symphony in the Skies , beautifully captures his spark bird moment and the personal journey that followed. This powerful piece is a heartfelt reflection on his growing connection to birds, nature, and community.
We're especially proud that Alabama Audubon’s very own Program Coordinator, Andrew Lydeard, is featured as a mentor in Nathan’s story—highlighting the impact of support and shared passion across generations. Take a moment to watch and be inspired by this thoughtful and moving masterpiece! To watch click the link: https://vimeo.com/1097687376
New Board 2025-2026
Alabama Audubon announced its Board for the fiscal year July 2025-June 2026.
LOIS WOODWARD // PRESIDENT
MATT HUNTER // PRESIDENT-ELECT
LORI OSWALD // TREASURER
HEATHER MCCALLEY // SECRETARY AND VP DEVELOPMENT & MEMBERSHIP
WINSTON LANCASTER // VP CONSERVATION & SCIENCE
MARJ YOUNG // VP FIELD TRIPS
MAGGIE AMSLER // AT-LARGE
DEREK CONRAD BROWN // AT-LARGE
JONAH COHEN // AT-LARGE
BARRY FLEMING // AT-LARGE
GREG HARBER // AT-LARGE
ANNETTE KINDERMAN // AT-LARGE
CLIFF MARTIN // AT-LARGE
JACQUELINE GRAY MILLER // AT-LARGE
Lois Woodward, President of the Board for 2025-2026, presents Maggie Amsler with the Bird of the Year print by Ava Bailey. Thank you for all that you have done Maggie!
On behalf of our team, we want to sincerely thank you, Maggie, for your invaluable contributions and dedication. Your leadership and commitment to community and ecological resilience are truly appreciated, and we’re grateful for all the hard work you continue to invest in shaping a better future for both people and birds.
Alabama Audubon is a proud membership organization, powered by people who love birds and the wild places they call home.
When you join, you’re not just signing up—you’re becoming part of a community working year-round to protect Alabama’s birds through science, education, and on-the-ground conservation.
Together, we make a difference. Thank you to all our amazing members!
A big thank you to our Volunteer of the Year, Kevin Shaw , a PhD candidate at the University of Alabama. Kevin has been a tremendous help with bird banding and Project Safe Flight, including monitoring the University of Alabama’s campus for window strikes.
Scot Duncan awards Kevin with a Gosse Print of moths and butterflies.
Killdeer Banding
We’ve successfully banded five Killdeer, and we’re hopeful to band more as the summer continues.
Killdeer are a native species in Alabama and part of the plover family. Known for their loud, insistent calls—often described as their namesake “kill-deer!” cry—these birds are ground nesters and can be surprisingly hard to spot thanks to their excellent camouflage.
In Alabama, Killdeer typically begin their breeding season as early as March and may continue nesting through August. They often nest in open areas with gravel, fields, or even rooftops—places where their speckled eggs can blend in with the surroundings.
Parents are famously protective, using a dramatic “broken-wing” display to lure predators away from their nests or chicks.
As these mysterious little birds continue to grow and fledge, our monitoring and banding efforts will help us better understand their behavior, movement, and long-term survival.
MAPS Banding at Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve 2025
Banded birds: 80
Total species: 64
Recaptures: 21
Notable Species: Summer Tanager
Acadian Flycatcher
Northern Parula
MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) is a continent-wide program aimed at understanding the productivity, recruitment and survival of birds. During the summer of 2025 we had our second year of MAPS banding at Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve.
We recaptured some birds that we banded in 2023, including 4 Carolina Wrens, 2 Eastern Towhees, 1 Northern Cardinal, 4 Kentucky Warblers, 1 Swainson’s Warbler, and 4 White-eyed Vireos.
In partnership with Jefferson County Greenways, we started a MAPS banding station at Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve in 2023.
Coastal Banding
FORT MORGAN APRIL 2025
Visitors:
Birds Banded:
Birds Recaptured:
Species:
Noteworthy: On April 16, 2025, there was a fallout on the coast. Birds started migrating over the Gulf with winds coming from the south, but at some point during that journey the wind shifted north and strengthened. This caused the birds to expend more energy fighting against the wind, and they dropped down at Fort Morgan to rest.
We banded nearly 500 birds that day , half of which were Wood Thrushes.
Thanks to the great team working at the banding station, all of these birds were banded and released quickly.
Black Belt Birding Festival 2025
Thank you for the massive support for this year’s Black Belt Birding Festival! We had a record-breaking year in attendance at 264 people , with birders from 14 states represented. This is a true testament to our supporters and bird lovers who will travel to experience the bird diversit y Alabama offers. This year, we introduced exciting new events including birding by canoe, a Civil Rights Campsite Trail tour, and our amazing keynote speaker, Dudley Edmondson who packed the room with his thought-provoking presentation. Purchase his signed book here!
Kyle Lybarger , founder and visionary behind the Native Habitat Project , was a special guest. He is a passionate advocate for native plants and ecosystems and is originally from Huntsville.
Joining him was Christopher Joe , owner and founder of Birds and Nature Tours and a member of the Joe Farm Family, where he shares his love of birding and the land with visitors. Director; Kyle Lybarger; and Christopher Joe.
A special thank you to all our local partners, including Horseshoe Farm , which graciously hosted our kickoff party, and Sumac Cottage , for hosting an artists market featuring local and regional artists and makers. This included Douglas Baulos’s vulture shadow puppets, offering attendees a chance to explore ecology through art.
Thank you to the Joe Farm for always hosting a highlight event to see kites!
Thank you to our guides and partners!
We couldn’t have done it without you! See the full picture gallery here and find out more about our Black Belt Initiative .
Birders at Joe Farm watching the kite show!
Thank you to the Black Belt Festival Presenting Sponsor , Alabama Black Belt Adventure ! Want to adventure more in the Black Belt? ABBA offers kayaking, fishing, birding, and many more events.
Sumac Cottage in Greensboro
Coastal News
Alabama Audubon is now the proud host of the John L. Borom Alabama Coastal BirdFest!
Since 2004, Coastal BirdFest has provided guided birding excursions through the region’s pristine and unique coastal habitats. Through field trips, workshops, and seminars, the event brings together birders of all ages and experience levels to witness the rich birdlife of the Alabama coast. We are proud to accept the passing of the torch and legacy of this event from South Alabama Land Trust .
The festival will move from fall to spring to coincide with the peak arrival of migrating birds that we all look forward to each year. Mark your calendars for April 23rd–26th, 2026! The schedule will be posted in the coming months. Want to be the first to know? Head over to our website and sign up for the Coastal BirdFest mailing list here !
New Signs at Dauphin Island
If you've been to Dauphin Island's middle beach recently, you may have noticed a few changes. We recently removed the old, faded signs from the dunes by the parking lot and added some new educational signs. We also replaced the signs in the large kiosk with some amazing new ones about birds, sea turtles, and dunes.
Check it out next time you 're at the beach and let us know what you think! These signs will not only help to educate people about Dauphin Island's wildlife, they will also help to protect and conserve it. Thank you to all of the volunteers that helped out, the Gulf Coast RC&D Council , and National Audubon Society for funding this project!
Coastal Conservation News
We have some exciting news to share from the coast. Our team documented a fledgling Wilson's Plover - the first fledgling documented in the state since 2015!
There are records of two other nests in the years between then and now, but those nests didn't produce any fledglings. In our coastal work a fledgling (flight capable) chick is what we count as a success due to its odds of survival increasing dramatically once it can fly.
This year, multiple pairs of Wilson's Plovers have nested at a restoration area in Mobile County. These birds have been extra sneaky with their nests but based on their behavior we are hopeful there might be another fledgling coming soon! When the whole state population is just a few pairs, every fledgling counts.
Safe habitat is hugely important for our beach-nesting bird populations and we are so excited that these birds have found this site and are nesting in our state again. Hopefully this is just the beginning!
Arizona Trip
Alabama Audubon embarked on a domestic birding trip outside of Alabama—an unforgettable journey into the stunning biodiversity of Southeastern Arizona.
Partnering with Arizona Birding Guides, we were fortunate to be led by one of the region’s most knowledgeable naturalists, Jake Thompson. From the towering heights of Mt. Lemmon and the scenic Molino Basin in the Tucson area to the iconic birding hotspots of Green Valley, Sierra Vista, Patagonia, and the Las Cienegas Grasslands, Jake guided us through some of the most awe-inspiring habitats in the American Southwest.
Our group explored world-renowned birding locations like Madera and Box Canyons, Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary, Paton’s Center for Hummingbirds, Beatty’s Ranch, Miller Canyon, and Ramsey Canyon. We encountered a remarkable 181 bird species, including regional specialties such as the Elegant Trogon, Lucifer Hummingbird, Elf Owls nesting in Century Plants, Flame-colored Tanager, Red-faced and Grace’s Warblers, Thick-billed Kingbird, and Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher—just to name a few!
The landscapes, wildlife, and expert guidance made this a truly phenomenal trip—and we’re already in talks to join Jake for another Arizona adventure next year.
Cheers, Andrew Lydeard Program Coordinator
MISSION
Active since 1927, and formally established in 1946, ALABAMA
AUDUBON'S mission has always been to promote conservation and a greater knowledge of birds, their habitats, and the natural world
DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE STAFF
R. Scot Duncan, PhD Executive Director
Lianne Koczur, PhD Science & Conservation Director
Ellen Killough Development Director
Keith A. Wolfe-Hughes Financial & Administrative Director
Andrew Lydeard Program Coordinator
Allison Ciamarra Communication Coordinator
Tim Higgins
Black Belt Coordinator
Cortney Weatherby Coastal Outreach Manager
Olivia Morpeth
Sam Fishman Coastal Biologist
Coastal Biologist
Community Engagement
OFFICERS
Lois Woodward
President
Matt Hunter President-Elect
Lori Oswald Treasurer
Winston Lancaster Vice President, Conservation
Marj Young Vice President, Field Trips
Heather McCalley Secretary and Vice President, Development & Membership
Maggie Amsler
Derek Conrad Brown
Jonah Cohen
Barry Fleming
Greg Harber
Annette Kinderman
Cliff Martin
Jacqueline Gray Miller
Linda Neighbors
Joe Watts
Michelle Wooten
ALABAMA AUDUBON P.O. Box 130819 Birmingham, AL 35213
FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM @alaubudon
Through nearly eighty years of conservation work in one of our nation’s most biologically rich states, ALABAMA AUDUBON has seen firsthand how biodiversity strengthens natural communities. This same principle applies to human communities, which is why our organization is committed to providing opportunities for all Alabamians to learn about and enjoy wild birds, their habitats, and the natural world. To that end, we invite everyone to participate in our work, as we strive to make our programs, classes, and events open and welcoming to all. Working together we can save the birds we love and the nature we need.
FOR EACH TAG ISSUED, WE RECEIVE $41.25
Every time you drive down the road, you will be supporting our mission to promote conservation and education by increasing awareness of our organization across Alabama. alaudubon.org/ alabama-audubon-car-tag
Design: Allison Ciamarra, Communication Coordinator
Contributors: R. Scot Duncan, Tim Higgins, Lianne Koczur, Andrew Lydeard, Cortney Weatherby, Keith A. Wolfe-Hughes
Alabama Audubon publishes Flicker Flashes seasonally.